The Rude specializes in locating submerged wrecks and other underwater obstructions Descriptions of the ships: The Whiting is a second NOAA survey vessel being used in the Kennedy plane search. Both are operated by the NOAA Corps Operations, which is composed of civilians and uniformed officers in the NOAA Corps. The Rude 90-foot (27-meter) hydrographic survey ship Carries both side scan sonar and multibeam sonar Covers about eight sq. miles (21 sq. kilometers) every 24 hours; travels at four to five knots Under the command of Lt. Cmdr. James Verlaque, NOAA Commissioned Corps The Whiting 163-foot (50-meter) hydrographic survey ship Carries high-speed side scan sonar Covers about 16 sq. miles (42 sq. kilometers) every 24 hours; travels at 10 knots Under command of Lt. Cmdr. Gerd Glang, NOAA Commissioned Corps

July 20, 1999
Web posted at: 3:31 p.m. EDT (1931 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The high-tech National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration survey ship Rude, used in the search for John F. Kennedy Jr.'s lost plane, was first commissioned in 1967 and specializes in locating submerged wrecks and other underwater obstructions.

The ship was named for Capt. Gilbert T. Rude of the former Coast and Geodetic Survey. He developed the Rude Star Finder, used for locating celestial bodies.

The Rude, pronounced "Rudy," is one of the smallest hydrographic survey vessels. It operates primarily in the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf coasts, using Norfolk, Virginia, as a home port.

Data collected by the Rude is used to update nautical charts to prevent marine disasters such as oil spills.

In 1985, the Rude began operating as a side-scan sonar survey vessel. The technology is housed in a small torpedo-shaped shell called a "fish" to provide accurate acoustical images of the bottom of the ocean up to 600 meters (1,980 feet) deep.

During typical survey operations in depths from 10 to 60 meters (33 feet to 198 feet), the crew can examine a 200- meter (660-feet) wide bottom swath. The Rude, along with the USS Grasp, took part in the search-and-salvage operation after the 1996 crash of TWA Flight 800 off Long Island.

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